Community structure of echinoderms in seagrass ecosystem of Pandaratan Beach, Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatera

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to determine the community structure of echinoderms and how it related to seagrass cover and water chemical and physical parameters in Pandaratan Beach, Tapanuli Tengah Regency. The research was conducted from Maret to April 2018. Data analysis included community structure analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The result showed that there were seven species of echinoderms from four classes in Pandaratan Beach. The station I had the highest composition of echinoderms, while the lowest noted at station II. The highest abundance of 77 ind/m 2 was found at the station I and the lowest of 44 ind/m 2 was at station III. The highest diversity index was recorded at the station I, while the highest evenness and dominance index was at station II. Water quality of the waters was still in capacity to support the life of echinoderms. Based on PCA analysis, it was obtained that the abundance of echinoderms was positively correlated with seagrass cover, DO, depth, and phosphate.

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